My students need an iPad to facilitate communication and to motivate them to learn.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Ricard's classroom raised $557
This project is fully funded
My Students
My students all have Autism. They desperately need a way to communicate their thoughts, needs, and wants. Most of them all nonverbal. Some of them speak in a very limited way. All of them are wonderful. I know they have amazing things to say.
My school is in an impoverished neighborhood in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.
My students may not have a lot of material possessions, but they all have a lot of heart. Every day they work hard. Every day is a struggle as they try to communicate. My students are age 7 and younger. They each have autism, some more profound than others. Studies show that the use of symbols and devices to communicate greatly increases verbal speech. I want to provide each of my students with a communication system while they are still so young. We have limited resources and therefore few devices for so many students to share.
My Project
Students with autism often respond well to technology. The iPad is intuitive. There are apps available that allow students to type in text, or to choose picture symbols to express their thoughts. The iPad then "speaks" the text or symbols, thus giving my students an actual voice. There are also apps on the iPad that allow students to practice much needed skills such as identifying common objects, actions, and emotions. The iPad is motivating. Students will increase their attention span and they will learn to stay on task for longer periods of time.
The greatest challenge for students with autism is communication and social interaction.
It is my dream that my students will have an easier time making their thoughts known. Parents will be thrilled to finally be able to know what their children want to say. Communication is a powerful thing. My students need a way to be heard. I believe, that when my students have a voice, there will be fewer tantrums and less frustration. They will get their needs met, which every child deserves.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Ricard and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.